World Cup: Mexican fans pack stadium in Natal for match vs. Cameroon

Mexican supporters gesure as they stand in the rain Friday before the start of the Group A World Cup soccer match between Mexico and Cameroon in the Arena das Dunas in Natal, Brazil. (Ricardo Mazalan/The Associated Press)

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NATAL, Brazil — The country’s federation said that at least 15,000 Mexicans bought tickets for its World Cup opener against Cameroon. That number probably was too low.

The Arena das Dunas looked like a branch of Azteca stadium with all of its chants and peculiar fans Friday. Many wore the traditional Mexican sombreros, which got a different use this time in a downpour.

“My sombrero was my umbrella today,” said Humberto Garcia, who traveled to Brazil from Mexico City along with his two friends. “I did not expect this kind of weather, so I did not have anything for the rain, so the sombrero kind of helped with that.”

The new trend among Mexicans is to wear the Lucha libre (wrestling) mask. The most common one had red on one side and green on the other, similar to that used by Rey Misterio Jr.

Five Mexicans used their shirts to spell O R I B E, the first name of striker Peralta, a fan favorite over Javier Hernandez.